The functioning of the quality management system must be monitored using indicators. What follows is a list of suitable indicators (note that you can add additional indicators yourself):

• External quality assessment (participation started in phase 2)
• Internal quality control scheme (established in phase 2)
• Trend and risk analyses
• Internal audits
• External audits
• Status of completion of action plans (including the Quality Year Plan action plan)
• Review of complaints received by the laboratory
• Review of nonconformities and results of corrective actions take
• Adherence to turnaround time (monitoring started in phase 3)
• Training followed by staff

Note that some of the above indicators are not yet implemented. However, for clarity's sake already a complete overview was given of indicators that need to be included in the Quarterly Reports when the complete quality management system is in place. Start recording data in Quarterly Reports of only the activities that you already perform, e.g. the completion of action plans and results of external quality assessments.

An example of a Quarterly Report is provided in the right-hand column to give you an idea of the outline and extensiveness.